Tole refers to decorated tin and iron wares from 1700-1900; however, most people also use the term to refer to various painted metalware from the late 19th to mid 20th Century. In traditional Tole, oil paint is the medium used for the pictures; while japan-paint was the background. The method of painting is refered to as 'one stroke painting'. The designs are composed of fruit, flowers, birds, scrolls, and leaves. Gilding, (gold), was used mainly from the 1790's-1870's, but not used much these days.

Japan-paint is a varnish-like paint that when applied to metal and kiln dried, resembles an Oriental black laquer finish. It has a tendency to scratch easily. Most country toleware was not varnished, but items like tea trays usually were to protect the painted surfaces. (pg. 207, 'The History & Folklore of American Country Tinware, 1700-1900, by Margaret Coffin, 1968 edit.).

Tole painting was done on lacquered paper mache items like tea trays; on furniture, and on metal, (japanned tin) trays, silent butlers, document boxes, spice sets, coal skuttles, etc.

Early tin/tole ware items like trays had rolled over edges; soddered corners, and are lighter in weight than late 19th-20th century items that are often made of sheet metal. Newer trays will usually be made from one solid piece of metal and are heavier than the tin trays. If the tray has a straight cut edge, it likely dates from the 1950's to present.

The colors on antique toleware items are very bright, (unless dirty); modern decorators dull the colors in an attempt to copy the old.

To care for tole the author of the above referenced book recommends a mild cleaning with soap & water; then apply a thin coat of varnish or wax. If it needs restoration, find a skilled artist. (pg. 210).

Kitchen_Collectibles

Item #	Description	Price
Click for more detail... graniteware40523a	Antique Milk Can and Painted Tin Spice Set For sale is an antique milk can and painted tin spice set. Awesome, heavy old graniteware milk can with wood bail handle and painted exterior. It has a fruit motif, and you can see the white enamel on the interior of can and lid and I believe this is the original paint on exterior and just how it was made. (just a bit of paint loss of exterior of milk can). This is a 9 inch size can, and the interior neck of lid has raised grooves so that when your turn the lid, it secures the lid in place. An identical milk, (in white), is shown in H. Greguires book on graniteware, though the bail handle is painted green instead of black. You also get the cute painted TIN spice set, (6 spice tins, some are rusted on the inside, but exteriors are fine). They are so similar in coloring I thought I would put them together even though they were purchased at different times and different places! Manufacturer: Graniteware	Your Price: $125.00
Click for more detail... lunch80606	Vintage Lunch Box Kitchen Assortment For sale is a vintage lunch box filled with kitchen collectibles. (10 great items, one price; great display item!). First is the vintage lunch box that someone has tole decaled, (bottom is marked: American Thermos Products, Norwich, Conn., USA, (note the old state abbreviation). Original black paint is very alligatored on this item, indicating age. Next is a cool tole painted tin mug; next is a vintage Pat. pie crimper; next is a patented 1940-45 Devault arrowhead potato peeler/grater; next is an Italian PPL garlic press; next is a tin bisquit cutter; next is a Fuller Brush pastry brush; next is a patented Foley reamer with old state abbreviation on it: Minn.; next is a cool pizza cutter with zinc? handle; next is a wood handled strainer; last is a set of 1950's measuring spoons! Manufacturer: American Thermos Products	Your Price: $95.00